Art Therapy: history, benefits, and considerations

The Article Art Therapy: Enhancing Psychosocial Nursing reviews the history or art therapy and current existing art therapy programs. This article uses data that has already been gathered to address key findings of art therapy programs. The benefits of art therapy are cited. The creative process is a way to handle conflicts and increase awareness. Art can also represent the client’s progress in internal state, a graphic representation of one’s feelings can be a helpful form of communication. Art therapy can also improve the quality of life for clients and improve their insight. Art therapy programs can increase awareness and psychological growth. The process can also be used by nurses to evaluate the client’s strengths. Art therapy also emphasizes the process over the product. Partnered with other therapies, art therapy can provide emotional support to clients. Art can communicate feelings in which clients might have difficulty communicating verbally. Art therapy can also be flexible in accommodating to individual needs. Art therapy can also be used with clients families. Art therapy within a psychosocial rehab setting will emphasize social, problem solving skills, and practical living skills. Goals should be designed to meet clients needs. Sessions time frame should also be designed to fit the client’s needs. Successful art therapy programs can be managed with minimal supplies.The article concluded that art therapy for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness can assist them with goals of psychosocial nursing. This article suggests that in the future that an evaluation procedure should be developed at the start of art therapy sessions. These observation measures will allow to measure effectiveness. Overall this article provided benefits of art therapy and suggestions for art therapy programs.

Tate, Frederic B,PhD., L.P.C., & Longo, D. A., PhD. (2002). Art therapy: Enhancing psychosocial nursing. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services,40(3), 40-7. Retrieved from http://0-search.proquest.com.books.redlands.edu/docview/225545216?accountid=14729